Ethan actually laughed.
Inside the shield, he lifted a hand. A thread of white lightning appeared on his fingertip—not large, but unbelievably steady. It hung there like a thin white line, quietly snapping in place.
Then he slowly pointed at Orun.
"Your body's mine."
Orun's laughter cut off like someone had strangled it.
His expression locked up. His movements stalled in the same instant. Those huge eyes fixed on Ethan through the barrier as the smugness drained off his face, replaced by shock and a surge of furious alarm—like he'd only just realized something was wrong.
"…You."
He finally understood.
The ashen-gray seed of energy Ethan had planted inside him earlier had finally awakened. It had been hidden deep in Orun's body, pressed close to his power, seeping in bit by bit. Now, pulled by the white lightning on Ethan's finger, it spread through him in an instant.
